Carrier generation and recombination

<p>In <a href="/facts/Solid-state_physics/Cmc6hvyR">solid-state physics</a> of <a href="/facts/Semiconductor/zFf3mGTE">semiconductors</a>, carrier generation and carrier recombination are processes by which mobile <a href="/facts/Charge_carrier/wpjjql4x">charge carriers</a> (<a href="/facts/Electron/L0KBo5cW">electrons</a> and <a href="/facts/Electron_hole/YymdTv9d">electron holes</a>) are created and eliminated. Carrier generation and recombination processes are fundamental to the operation of many <a href="/facts/Optoelectronics/0SCr9px0">optoelectronic</a> <a href="/facts/Semiconductor_device/6W3ryr50">semiconductor devices</a>, such as <a href="/facts/Photodiode/152Rpk06">photodiodes</a>, <a href="/facts/Light-emitting_diode/gE8x4MDb">light-emitting diodes</a> and <a href="/facts/Laser_diode/TjHzJteV">laser diodes</a>. They are also critical to a full analysis of <a href="/facts/P-n_junction/CaKIdLPg">p-n junction</a> devices such as <a href="/facts/Bipolar_junction_transistor/9BMcGv5Q">bipolar junction transistors</a> and p-n junction <a href="/facts/Diode/JyaoyGnk">diodes</a>.
</p><p>The electron–hole pair is the fundamental unit of generation and recombination in inorganic semiconductors, corresponding to an electron transitioning between the valence band and the conduction band where generation of an electron is a transition from the valence band to the conduction band and recombination leads to a reverse transition.
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Carrier generation and recombination open-in-new

Carrier generation and recombination